Bed headboard structure



Jan. 7, 1969 P. J. FLOCD 3,419,921

BED HEADBOARD STRUCTURE Filed May 12, 1966 Sheet of 5 p: R INVENTOR.

72' J. F400 F11; 2 D

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IATTORNE Y Jan. 7, 1969. FLO v 3,419,921

BED HEADBOARD STRUCTURE Filed May 12, 1966 Sheet 2 of 5 ATTORNEY v INVENTOR.

PETE)? J. FLOOD fMTQ W y Jan. 7, 1969 P. J. FLOOD 3,419,921

BED HEADBOARD STRUCTURE Filed May 12, 1966 Sheet 5 of .5

INVENTOK. PE 75/? J FLOOD BY 710W A T TORNEY United States Patent 1 3,419,921 BED HEADBOARD STRUCTURE Peter J. Flood, Box 173, RED. 1, Reeds Ferry, N.H. 03078 Filed May 12, 1966, Ser. No. 549,559 US. Cl. 308 13 Claims Int. Cl. A47c 19/22; A47c 17/52 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An upright headboard structure contains at least one enclosure pivotally attached to the structure so as to pivot about an upright axis and swing alongside the bed so that the contents of the enclosure are accessible to the occupants of the bed, alongside the bed, and when pivoted closed, the enclosure forms part of the front face of the structure.

This invention relates to bed headboard structures and more particularly to bed headboard structures which may stand separate from a bed along one end of the bed and from which parts fold over or alongside the bed for the accommodation of the occupants of the bed.

Heretofore, a variety of bed headboard structures have been employed which extend substantially the full width of the bed which abuts the structure. Some of these structures are of significant depth and contain parts such as arms and backrests and reading lights which fold or pivot .away from the structure over or alongside or on the bed for the accommodation of the occupants of the bed. It is one purpose of the present invention to provide a headboard structure of a similar type, but which provides to the user substantial storage space in the headboard structure which pivots out for use alongside or on the bed in a unique, convenient manner allowing ready access to stored reading matter, medicine, food and other items allenclosed within the headboard.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a bed headboard structure which incorporates storage space in folding parts thereof, of sufficient depth to store books and the like and which may be opened for access thereto from an abutting bed and which folds closed to provide for the bed an attractive headboard structure of relatively simple lines.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a bed headboard structure containing parts for containing books and the like which folds out over or alongside the bed and which contains space for a backrest which can be quickly positioned by the occupants of the bed for use conveniently adjacent the storage space.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a bed headboard structure against which a bed may abut so that the occupants of the bed may, by manipulating simple door-like enclosures, place at their disposal shelves which store useful items.

In accordance with a principal feature of the present invention, a floor standing upright bed headboard structure is provided against which a bed abuts. The structure includes a number of enclosures each of substantial and useful length, breadth and depth for storing items, such as books, and each of which is pivotally attached to the structure on a vertical axis by, for example, hinges so that when opened, the contents thereof are available to the occupants of the bed; and when closed, the contents are stored forming an attractive headboard structure having relatively simple lines.

In preferred emodiments of the present invention, the hinged enclosures are substantially entirely located above the sleeping level of the bed and when opened for use by the occupants of the bed, the enclosures clear the sleeping level of the bed. In one embodiment, the lower portion of the headboard structure, below the sleeping 3,419,921 Patented Jan. 7, 1969 "ice level of the bed, serves as storage space for backrests which may be lifted therefrom and placed in position by the occupants with a minimum of effort and in such a position that the occupant using the brackrest has ready access to the opened enclosure.

In still other embodiments, the headboard structure extends beyond the sides of the bed to facilitate additional storage space and/ or support or balance for the pivoted enclosures when they are in the open position.

Other features and objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following specific description taken in conjunction with the figures in which:

FIGURE 1 is a pictorial view of a closed headboard structure incorporating features of the present invention with a bed abutting the front face thereof;

FIGURE 2 is a pictorial view of the same headboard structure with all pivotally attached enclosures opened and with one backrest in place;

FIGURE 3 is a side sectional view showing the center enclosure opened and in position for use;

FIGURE 4 is a side sectional view showing the backrest in position for use;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged view showing the engaging structure of the backrest;

FIGURE 6 is a pictorial view of an embodiment with means extending to the side of the structure for supporting the pivoted side enclosures when in the open position;

FIGURE 7 is a pictorial view of an embodiment including side enclosures which are pivoted toward their centers to accommodate balanced loading; and

FIGURES 8, 9 and 10 are pictorial views of embodiments in which the pivoted side enclosures swing on hinge lines centered in the side faces of the headboard structure.

Turning first to FIGURE 1 there is shown -a relatively simple embodiment of the present invention including a floor standing, upright, substantially rectangular bed headboard enclosure 1 having a front face, a top, two sides and a back which substantially define a solid rectangular enclosure having, for storage purposes, useful width, height and depth denoted W, H and D. The headboard structure is comprised substantially of four compartments: a left side enclosure 2, a right side enclosure 3, a center enclosure 4 and a bottom enclosure 5. A bed 6 preferably of double bed size, abuts the front face of the headboard structure so that the sleeping surface 7 of the bed defines a plane which intercepts the structure just below the side enclosures 2 and 3 and the center enclosure 4 and so that the side enclosures and the center enclosure may pivot or open from the headboard structure to positions on or alongside the sleeping surface 7 of the bed, as shown in FIGURE 2.

The end enclosures 2 and 3 and the center enclosure 4 are each pivotally attached to the headboard structure by, for example, hinges so that when in the closed position as shown in FIGURE 1 they combine with the bottom enclosure 5 to form the upright rectangular headboard of width, height and depth, W, H and D of suitable proportions to provide an attractive match for the double size bed 6. The hinges such as 8 to 10 are located so that when open, the side enclosures 2 and 3 swing out alongside the bed making the shelves therein, such as shelves 11, accessible to one or the other of the occupants of the bed. The center enclosure 4 is hinged to the headboard structure by hinges 12 and 13 so that when opened, it swings down to the level 7 of the bed between the occupants, allowing equal access to the items stored therein to each of the occupants.

Hardware such as mortise bolt locks 14 and 15 may be provided on the side enclosures 2 and 3 which mate with latches such as 16 on the center enclosure. Knobs 17 and 18 are provided for operating the bolt locks and opening the side enclosures.

The faces 19 and 20 of the side enclosures 2 and 3 which abut the center enclosure 4 when all enclosures are closed, as shown in FIGURE 1, preferably diverge toward the rear of the headboard structure. This divergence is sufficient to permit the side enclosures (of useful depth D) to swing clear of the outer enclosure when opened.

When the enclosures are opened as shown in FIGURE 2, access is enabled to items stored in enclosure 5. These preferably include backrests 21 and 22 which may be lifted therefrom by handles such as 23 and conveniently placed for use with parts of the backrest accommodated to the front edge 24 of the bottom enclosure 5. This accommodation is shown in detail in FIGURES 4 and 5.

As shown in FIGURES 4 and 5, the accommodating parts of the backrest 21 include a step shaped support structure 25 at the bottom of the backrest which engages the front edge 24 of the bottom enclosure 5. The stepped structure permits the height and inclination of the backrest to be adjusted so that when the occupant exerts a force against the backrest in the direction of the arrow 26, the engaging part 25 of the backrest will remain firmly engaged against the front edge 25 of the bottom enclosure 5.

The upper end of the backrest when in use rests against the inside face of the back panel 27 of the headboard structure. The back panel 27 serves to support the upper ends of the backrest when they are in place and carry the hinges such as hinges 8 to 10 upon which the side enclosures 2 and 3 pivot. For these purposes, the panel 27 is shown as an extension of the back wall 28 of bottom enclosure 5. However, it should be clearly understood that other structure could be substituted for panel 27 to provide the same functions. In applications where the headboard structure 1 is placed against a wall, so that parts for carrying the hinges and supporting the backrest are generally not exposed, the design thereof need only consider functional requirements.

The side enclosures 2 and 3 are connected to the headboard structure by hinges such as hinges 8 to 10 which connect enclosure 3 to the structure, so that the side enclosures pivot about upstanding axes which are coincident with or close to rear upstanding edges of the headboard structure 1. This permits the side enclosures 2 and 3 to have maximum storage volume which can be swung into position alongside the bed for use by the occupants. Thus, side enclosure 2 swings on hinge taxle 31 and side enclosure 3 swings on axis 32 and axis 31 is substantially along the rear upstanding edge 33 of the headboard structure while axis 32 is substantially along the rear upstanding edge 34 of the headboard structure.

The center enclosure 4 which divides the bed 6 is mounted to the headboard structure by hinges such as 12 and 13 so that the structure 4 pivots about an axis 35. The axis 35 is preferably along the top front edge 24 of the lower enclosure so that it is just above or at the sleeping level 7 of the bed.

In order to insure that the bed is secured against the headboard enclosure a fastener such as 36 may be provided. This includes a hook attached to the rear leg 38 of the bed engaging an eye attached to the headboard structure. This demonstrates but one convenient method for securing the bed against the headboard structure. Other suitable devices may be substituted.

FIGURE 6 illustrates an embodiment of the invention similar to the embodiment shown in FIGURES 1 to 5. In this embodiment, there is provided means which extends from each side of the lower enclosure, for supporting the side end enclosures 2 and 3 when they are in the open position. Side enclosure 3, shown in the open position, is partially supported by the extension 41 and extension 42 supports enclosure 2 when it is opened. This support may be effected by a track 43 along which a set of bearings or Wheels 44 carried by the enclosure 3 ride. A similar track 45 on extension 2 engages wheels, hearings or equivalent devices carried by side enclosure 2, thereby to support the enclosure when it is open.

The embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 7 includes a bed headboard structure 51 which is somewhat wider than the double bed 52. Again the width, height and depth, W, H and D of the headboard structure are sufficient to provide useful space for storage of books and the like and parts of the structure which extend above the level 53 of the bed are hinged so as to open for access to the contents thereof by the occupants of the bed.

When closed, the headboard structure 51 is preferably substantially rectangular having a front, back, side and top faces which are evident from the figure. The bed 52 abuts the front face and is centered thereon. In this embodiment, the left and right side enclosures 54 and 55 are pivotally supported by the headboard structure on vertical axes 56 and 57, respectively, lying substantially on the surface of the front face of the structure against which the bed abuts. More particularly, side enclosure 54 connects to the structure by hinges such as 58 so that it pivots about axis 56 and the side enclosure 55 connects to the structure by hinges such as 59 so that it pivots about axis 57. The taxes 56 and 57 may be located in line with the edges of the bed andare preferably located somewhat wide of the edges so that when the side enclosures 54 and 55 swing open, their contents are available to the occupants of the bed along the edge of the bed and yet the enclosures cover but little of the sleeping surface 53 of the bed.

The handles 61 and 62 are provided on the side enclosures to facilitate opening and a center enclosure 63 may be provided operating just as the center enclosure 4 already described with reference to FIGURES 1 to 5. Furthermore, means are provided for securing the bed via, for example, the leg 64 against the front face of the headboard structure and backrests such as backrest 21 and 22 may be stored in the lower part 65 of the structure and positioned for use just as already described with reference to the backrests 21 and 22 shown in FIGURES 1 to 5.

The embodiment in FIGURE 7 differs from that in FIGURES l to 6 principally in that the axes on which the side enclosures pivot are located along the front rather than the back face of the structure and are somewhat beyond the sides of the bed so as to permit the side enclosures to be wider. In addition, since the pivot axes 56 and 57 are not located at one end of the corresponding side enclosure, the side enclosures may be counter balanced by providing a weight in the sections 66 and 67, thereof, to relieve the cantilever stresses imposed upon the hinges by the bulk of the side enclosure and contents.

In addition to this, the embodiment in FIGURE 7 facilitates longer side enclosure shelves and the like for positioning alongside the bed, than the embodiment in FIGURES 1, 2 and 6; all other factors being equal.

The embodiments in FIGURES 8, 9 and 10 include hinged end enclosures which pivot on hinge lines lying substantially in the side faces of the headboard structure midway between the front and rear faces of the structure. In FIGURE 8, the structure 71 supports two hinged end enclosures 72 and 73 on top of a bottom enclosure 74 and a center enclosure 75. The end enclosure 72 pivots about a hinge line 76 lying substantially in the end face 77 of the structure midway between the front and rear faces. Likewise, end enclosure 73 pivots about a hinge line 78 lying substantially in the opposite side face of the structure midway between the front and rear faces. The hinged ends of enclosures 72 and 73 are contoured as shovtm to clear the inside edges, 79 of the structure when the enclosures are closed. The enclosures 72 and 73 when opened (as '72 is shown in FIGURE 8) will partly rest on the edge 80, along the side of the bottom enclosure 74 lending support to the end enclosures when they are opened. To further this support, a track may be provided on the bottom of each of the end enclosures contacting a roller fixed to the edge such as edge 80 so that the support provided by the edge does not hinder opening and closing the enclosure.

In FIGURES 8, 9 and 10, the end enclosures are hinged to swing a full 180 so that they may be positioned parallel with the sides of the bed or fully opened as shown in FIGURE 10 even when the structure backs against a wall. This is not possible with the other embodiments described herein.

In FIGURE 9, the end enclosures 81 and 82 are hinged to the side faces such as 83, of the structure 84 substantially midway between the front and rear faces thereof on vertical axes 85 and 86, respectively, and can swing 180. The enclosures 81 and 82 are contoured so that when closed they form flush surfaces with the structure defining the front, top and side faces thereof. Enclosure 81 is shown closed to illustrate this feature.

The contour illustrated in FIGURE 9 is a simple taper from the hinged end 87 of the enclosure to the other end 88 which abuts the center enclosure 89. Thus, the hinged end 87 of the enclosure 82 is about half as deep as the structure (dimension D) and the other end 88 is about the same depth as the structure. This design provides the flush surfaces when the enclosures are closed and permits the enclosures to be swung fully open even when the structure is backed against a wall.

In addition, when the enclosures 81 and 82 open to extend parallel with the sides of the bed 90, they may be supported by the edge 91 along the top side of the bottom enclosure 92 just as already described with reference to FIGURE 8.

In FIGURE 10, the end enclosures 94 and 95 are contoured from top to bottom as well as from end to end to provide the same features and advantages as the embodiment in FIGURE 9. The end enclosures 94 and 95 are hinged to the structure 96 on axes 97 and 98, respectively, which lie in the side faces of the structure, such as side face 99, substantially midway between the front and rear faces thereof. Furthermore, the end enclosures are contoured from the hinged end, such as 100, to the end, such as 101, which abuts the center enclosure 102 and are contoured from top to bottom so that when closed, flush surfaces are formed with the structure 96 and the enclosures can be opened 180 when the structure 96 is backed against a wall.

In addition, the enclosures 94 and 95 may be opened to extend parallel with the sides of the bed 103 and gain support from the edge 104 along the top side of the bottom enclosure 105.

Obviously, the features illustrated in FIGURES 8, 9 and 10 may be combined with features illustrated in the other embodiments so as to combine advantages. For example, the counter balance feature of the structure shown in FIGURE 7 can be combined with the midway hinge line feature shown in these figures to obtain the advantages of both. Also, the end support feature shown in FIGURE 6 can be added to any of the other embodiments to lend support to the opened enclosures.

This completes descriptions of a number of embodiments of the present invention of a substantially upright bed headboard structure having dimensions of width, height and depth which define useful storage space and having storage enclosures which pivot open about upright axes which lies substantially in the front, rear or side faces of the structure such that a substantial part of the total volume of the structure extending above an abutting bed, opens to provide access to the contents thereof to the occupants of the bed. These embodiments are described by way of example of useful applications of the invention and are not intended to limit the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A bed headboard structure including an upright structure having front, top, rear and side faces substantially higher than the sleeping level of a bed and which is positioned at the end of the bed with the front face of 6 the structure abutting the end of the bed wherein the improvement comprises,

a side enclosure at one end of said structure occupying the side portion thereof above said bed level and pivotally attached to said structure so as to pivot therefrom about an upright axis lying substantially in one of said faces,

said side enclosure having a substantially open face and a substantially closed face,

whereby said side enclosure when pivoted closed, forms said upright headboard structure, with said closed face thereof forming part of the front face of said headboard structure, and

when pivoted open, provides said side enclosure along side of said bed with said open face thereof facing said bed along the side thereof so that the contents thereof are available to the occupant of said bed.

2. A bed headboard structure as in claim 1 and in which,

said pivot axis lies substantially in the rear face of said structure.

3. A bed headboard structure as in claim 1 and in which,

said pivot axis lies substantially in the front face of said structure.

4. A bed headboard structure as in claim 1 and in which,

said pivot axis lies substantially along the edge of said rear face of said structure.

5. A bed headboard structure as in claim 1 and in which,

said pivot axis lies substantially in a side face of said structure midway between said front and rear faces.

6. A bed headboard structure as in claim 1 and further including,

means attached to the portion of said structure below the sleeping level of said bed for supporting said side enclosure when in the open position.

7. A bed headboard structure as in claim 1 and in which,

said pivot axis lies between the ends of the side enclosure,

whereby the side enclosure may be weighted at one end to counterbalance cantilever forces on said pivotal attachment.

8. A bed headboard structure as in claim 3 and in which,

said pivot axis lies between the ends of the side enclosure,

whereby the side enclosure may be weighted at one end to counterbalance cantilever forces on said pivotal attachment.

9. A bed headboard structure as in claim 1 and further including,

a center enclosure occupying the portion of said structure above said bed sleeping level alongside said side enclosure and pivotally attached to said front face so as to pivot open about a horizontal axis until said center enclosure rests upon said bed, said center enclosure combining with said side enclosure when both are closed to form a substantial part of the front face of said headboard structure.

10. A bed headboard structure as in claim 1 and further including,

a backrest device stored in the portion of said structure below the sleeping level of said bed and which includes parts which engage accommodating parts of said headboard structure,

thereby positioning said backrest so that when properly used by the occupant of said bed, said side enclosure in the opened position is conveniently located alongside the occupant for access thereto.

11. A bed headboard structure as in claim 9 and in which,

said backrest includes a structural part which is step shaped, a selected step of which engages an accommodating part of said headboard structure, such that by selecting the step for such engagement, the inclination angle of said backrest is selected. 12. A bed headboard structure as in claim 5 and in which,

said side enclosure is contoured from the pivotally attached end thereof to the opposite end thereof, whereby said side enclosure, when closed forms flush portions of said front, top, rear and side faces and may be opened 180 without extending across the plane defined by said rear surface. 13. A bed headboard structure as in claim 12 and in which,

said side enclosure is also contoured from the top to the bottom thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/1931 Scully 2971 15 7/1937 Tatum 297--417 X 7/1950 Shulrnan.

4/1951 Tatar 52 X 7/1952 Frey 58 9/ 1952 Strathaus 559 4/1960 Schiffrnann 5308 5/1966 Johnson 553 BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner.

R. D. KRAUS, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 

